Hanwood FC couldn’t have asked for better preparation for their State Cup semi-final this Sunday.
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With Hanwood resting the majority of its starters, many would have pegged Yoogali SC as the odds-on favourite to take home the three points in the top of the table clash on Tuesday.
The “fringe players” stunned everyone as Hanwood came out of the match with a 3-2 victory to its name.
“They’ve thrown down the gauntlet to the regular squad,” Hanwood coach Brian Bertolin said.
“A lot of blokes played out of their skin.
“It just goes to show the depth of the club.”
The win moves Hanwood into first place on the Griffith District Football Association ladder by a point.
Now they’ll have to refocus for the task at hand.
They take on the Glebe Gorillas from the Sydney Amateur League this Sunday for a place in the Bill Cullinan State Cup grand final.
Glebe are currently on top in its own competition.
The Gorillas have also been lights out in front of goal so far this tournament. Bertolin knows it will be a tough encounter.
“They’ve scored a lot of goals and not let many in, so we’re going to have our work cut out for us,” he said.
“At this stage of the competition, you have to expect that though.”
For the first time all competition, Hanwood will have its full squad of 17 ready and rearing to go.
What does this mean for the lineup?
For one thing, Hanwood’s target man up front is back in play.
“Danny Johnson will be back up front (and out of goalkeeper),” Bertolin said.
“He really wanted to play against YSC and he looked like he was spent after 45 minutes.
“He’s a real big, strong bloke… I’d hate to be defending him.”
While an increase to Hanwood’s firepower was more than welcome, Bertolin said a lot would rest on the shoulders of the defence.
“They (Glebe) have the top goal-scorer,” he said.
“Our defence is our strong point though.
“We have blokes that are good at marking blokes out of the game.”
The game will be played at Progress Park in Auburn and is set to kick off at 10.15am Sunday.
With a win, Hanwood will either play Leichhardt Saints Senior or Lilly Pilly (who play at 11am) in the grand final two weeks later.
The scheduled game between Hanwood and Griffith City set for Sunday will be postponed to a date still to be determined.